forgotten voices: female romantic poets of the industrial revolution

The Romantic period is often dominated by famous male poets, but many remarkable female writers were equally active during the Industrial Revolution, offering their powerful reflections on nature, emotion, social injustice, and the changing world around them. Poets like Charlotte Smith, Mary Robinson, Anna Laetitia Barbauld, and Felicia Hemans wrote with a unique voice, often… Read More forgotten voices: female romantic poets of the industrial revolution

found drowned (1848-1850) – george frederic watts

Artist: George Frederic WattsDate: Circa 1848–1850Medium: Oil on canvasLocation: Tate Britain, LondonDimensions: 864 × 508 mm About the Painting Found Drowned portrays the lifeless body of a young woman washed up under a bridge in the River Thames. The setting is dark and desolate. The figure lies draped in wet, clinging fabric. A faint city… Read More found drowned (1848-1850) – george frederic watts

chapbooks: a pocket-sized legacy of literature & culture

Chapbooks, are small in size but rich in history, they are humble booklets that have played a surprisingly significant role in the spread of literature, folklore, and political ideas for centuries. Originally inexpensive pamphlets were sold by travelling peddlers or “chapmen” from the 16th to the 19th centuries, chapbooks brought stories, songs, poems, and popular… Read More chapbooks: a pocket-sized legacy of literature & culture

lancashire dialect poetry: the people’s voice in verse

Lancashire Dialect Poetry: The People’s Voice in Verse captures the raw, and heartfelt spirit of everyday life through the words and rhythms of the people themselves. I’m endlessly fascinated by dialect poetry because it preserves the unique sounds, expressions, and humour of a place and time often overlooked in mainstream literature. It’s more than just… Read More lancashire dialect poetry: the people’s voice in verse

poetry and the industrial revolution: verse against the machine

The Industrial Revolution, beginning in the late 18th century, transformed the fabric of society, bringing about unprecedented advances in machinery, urbanisation, and economic growth. But beneath the hum of steam engines and the rise of smokestacks, poets heard something else: the wail of displaced workers, the mechanisation of the human spirit, and the loss of… Read More poetry and the industrial revolution: verse against the machine

Chartism and the poetry of shelley: revolution in words and deeds

In the turbulent landscape of 19th-century Britain, Chartism emerged as the first mass political movement driven by the working class. Between 1838 and 1857, millions of people rallied behind the People’s Charter, demanding sweeping political reforms including universal male suffrage, secret ballots, and parliamentary representation for all. Yet while Chartism was rooted in economic hardship… Read More Chartism and the poetry of shelley: revolution in words and deeds

The Struggles of Being a Left-Handed Person in a Right-Handed World

Being left-handed in a world designed for right-handed people often means making constant adjustments—sometimes without even realising it. Many left-handed individuals find themselves feeling they need to compensate by using their right hand for certain tasks, either because they were taught to do so from a young age or because right-handed tools and methods make… Read More The Struggles of Being a Left-Handed Person in a Right-Handed World